What is the electron configuration for Fe2+?

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Multiple Choice

What is the electron configuration for Fe2+?

Explanation:
The main idea is how electrons fill and are removed in transition metals. For iron, the neutral atom is arranged as [Ar] 4s2 3d6. When it loses two electrons to form Fe2+, the electrons come off from the outermost shell first. The 4s electrons are higher in energy in a cation, so both are removed, leaving [Ar] 3d6. That makes Fe2+ have a 3d6 configuration. Other possibilities would imply different oxidation states (for example, keeping electrons in 4s or ending up with a different number of 3d electrons), which doesn’t match Fe2+.

The main idea is how electrons fill and are removed in transition metals. For iron, the neutral atom is arranged as [Ar] 4s2 3d6. When it loses two electrons to form Fe2+, the electrons come off from the outermost shell first. The 4s electrons are higher in energy in a cation, so both are removed, leaving [Ar] 3d6. That makes Fe2+ have a 3d6 configuration.

Other possibilities would imply different oxidation states (for example, keeping electrons in 4s or ending up with a different number of 3d electrons), which doesn’t match Fe2+.

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